Self Cleaning Shield

ABSTRACT

A filtration element adapted to be mounted to a rain gutter; the filtration element comprising a plurality of threads or water receiving membrane defining a substantially planar first surface having downward or upward extending planes or channels or inseams defining segments or areas that distend beneath or extend above the first surface, such segments or areas positioned perpendicular and/or not completely parallel to the longitudinal (lengthwise) edge of the filtration element. 
     The filtration element may serve singularly as a gutter guard or as a component of an assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S.continuation-in-part application Ser. No. 11/647,460 filed Jan. 29,2007, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Twopages of claims entitled “New Claims” are included as new information tobe examined.

BACKGROUND

-   1. Field of Invention

Gutter covering systems are known to prevent debris from entering intothe open top end of a rain gutter. When debris accumulates within thebody of a rain gutter in an amount great enough to cover the opening ofa downspout-draining hole, the draining of water from the rain gutter isimpeded or completely stopped. This occurrence will cause the water torise within the rain gutter and spill over its uppermost front and rearportions.

The purpose of a rain gutter, to divert water away from the structureand foundation of a home, is thereby circumvented.

-   2. Related Art

The invention relates to the field of Gutter Anti-clogging Devices andparticularly relates to screens with affixed fine filter membranes, andto devices that employ recessed wells or channels in which filtermaterial may be inserted, affixed to gutters to prevent debris fromimpeding the desired drainage of water.

Various gutter anti-clogging devices are known in the art and some aredescribed in issued patents.

In my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352, I teach a gutter protection system forpreventing entrance of debris into a rain gutter. I teach a gutterprotection system to include a recessed perforated angled well within arigid main body that receives an insertable flexible polymer supportskeleton that supports overlying micro mesh filtering membrane that isattached to the underlying support skeleton. This insertable flexiblefiltration configuration is manufactured separately from the rigid fouror five foot length body in fifty foot rolls and allows for a seamlessfilter protecting an underlying gutter, over long gutter lengths. Theinsertable support skeleton includes a perforated plane with integraldownward extending planes and integral upward extending support planes,separated by unbroken air space, that contact an overlying micro meshfiltering membrane on it's undermost surface. I further teach that thecontacting of the undermost surface of a micromesh filtering membrane byoptimally spaced support planes encourages the downward flow of rainwater through said micro mesh filtering membrane and into an underlyingrain gutter. This gutter protection system has been shown, in the fieldto be extremely effective at preventing rain gutter clogs without asingle known instance of clogging. However, the insertable flexiblepolymer support skeleton with attached filtering membrane is somewhatheavy and has been found to be cumbersome, even impossible, to installin the recessed angled well of the rigid main body of the gutterprotection system during cold weather as the flexible polymer skeletonhas been found to stiffen and becomes inflexible. The insertableflexible skeleton also has been known to expand and contract at adifferent coefficient that rigid main body of the gutter protectionsystem. This can cause areas of the main body of the gutter protectionto become exposed to potential debris entrance due to relative shrinkageof the insertable polymer support skeleton or, in other instances, theinsertable filtration configuration may expand and extend past the mainbody of the gutter protection system and further expand past end caps ofan underlying gutter which home owners view as undesirable from acosmetic perspective.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,891 to Albracht teaches a gutter protection systemfor preventing entrance of debris into a rain gutter. Albracht teaches agutter protection system to include a single continuous two sided wellwith angled sides and perforated bottom shelf 9 into which rainwaterwill flow and empty into the rain gutter below. The well is of a depth,which is capable of receiving a filter mesh material. However, attemptsto insert or cover such open channels of “reverse-curve” devices withfilter meshes or cloths is known to prevent rainwater from entering thewater receiving channels. This occurrence exists because of the tendencyof such membranes, (unsupported by a proper skeletal structure), tochannel water, by means of water adhesion along the interconnected pathsexisting in the filter membranes (and in the enclosures they may becontained by or in), past the intended water-receiving channel and tothe ground. This occurrence also exists because of the tendency offilter mediums of any present known design or structure to quicklywaterproof or clog when inserted into such channels creating evengreater channeling of rainwater forward into a spill past an underlyingrain gutter. Filtering of such open, recessed, channels existing inAlbracht's invention as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,696, to Knittel,U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,832 to Goetz, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,459,350, & 5,181,350to Meckstroth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,998 to Hansen, U.S. Pat. No.4,757,649 to Vahldieck and in similar “reverse-curved” inventions thatrely on “reverse-curved” surfaces channeling water into an open channelhave been known to disallow entrance of rainwater into thewater-receiving channels. Albracht's as well as previous and succeedingsimilar inventions have therefore notably avoided the utilization offilter insertions. What may appear as a logical anticipation by suchinventions at first glance, (inserting of a filter mesh or material intothe channel), has been shown to be undesirable and ineffective across abroad spectrum of filtering materials: Employing insertable filters intosuch inventions has not been found to be a simple matter ofanticipation, or design choice of filter medium by those skilled in thearts. Rather, it has proved to be an ineffective option, with any knownfilter medium, when attempted in the field. Such attempts, in the field,have demonstrated that the filter mediums will eventually require manualcleaning.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,027 to Vail teaches a continuous opening 24A betweenthe two top shelves. Vail teaches a gutter protection system having asingle continuous well 25, the well having a depth allowing insertionand retention of filter mesh material 26 (a top portion of the fillermesh material capable of being fully exposed at the holes). Vail doesteach a gutter protection system designed to incorporate an insertablefilter material into a recessed well. However, Vail notably names andintends the filter medium to be a tangled mesh fiberglass five times thethickness of the invention body. This type of filtration medium, alsoclaimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,686 to Rees, and in prior art currentlymarketed as FLOW-FREE™ is known to trap and hold debris within itselfwhich, by design, most filter mediums are intended to do, i.e.: trap andhold debris. Vail's invention does initially prevent some debris fromentering an underlying rain gutter but gradually becomes ineffective atchanneling water into a rain gutter due to the propensity of theirclaimed filter mediums to clog with debris. Though Vail's inventionembodies an insertable filter, such filter is not readily accessible forcleaning when such cleaning is necessitated. The gutter cover must beremoved and uplifted for cleaning and, the filter medium is not easilyand readily inserted replaced into its longitudinal containing channelextending three or more feet. It is often noted, in the field, thatthese and similar inventions hold fast pine needles in great numberswhich presents an unsightly appearance as well as create debris damsbehind the upwardly extended and trapped pine needles. Such filtermeshes and non-woven lofty fiber mesh materials, even when composed offiner micro-porous materials, additionally tend to clog and fill withoak tassels and other smaller organic debris because they are notresting, by design, on a skeletal structure that encourages greaterwater flow through its overlying filter membrane than exists when suchfilter meshes or membranes contact planar continuously-connectedsurfaces. Known filter mediums of larger openings tend to trap and holddebris. Known filter mediums smaller openings clog or “heal over” withpollen and dirt that becomes embedded and remains in the finermicro-porous filter mediums. At present, there has not been found, as amatter of common knowledge or anticipation, an effectivewater-permeable, non-clogging “medium-of-choice” that can be chosen, inlieu of claimed or illustrated filter mediums in prior art, that is ableto overcome the inherent tendencies of any known filter mediums to clogwhen applied to or inserted within the types of water receiving wellsand channels noted in prior art. Vail also discloses that filter meshmaterial 26 is recessed beneath a planar surface that utilizesperforations in the plane to direct water to the filter medium beneath.Such perforated planar surfaces as utilized by Vail, by Sweers U.S. Pat.No. 5,555,680, by Morin U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,311 and by similar prior artare known to only be partially effective at channeling water downwardthrough the open apertures rather than forward across the body of theinvention and to the ground. This occurs because of the principal ofwater adhesion: rainwater tends to flow around perforations as much asdownward through them, and miss the rain gutter entirely. Also, inobserving perforated planes such as utilized by Vail and similarinventions (where rainwater experiences its first contact with aperforated plane) it is apparent that they present much surface areaimpervious to downward water flow disallowing such inventions fromreceiving much of the rainwater contacting them. A simple design choiceor anticipation of multiplying the perforations can result in a weakenedbody subject to deformity when exposed to the weight of snow and/ordebris or when, in the case of polymer bodies, exposed to summertemperatures and sunlight.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,686 to Rees teaches an improvement for rain gutterscomprising a filter attachment, which is constructed to fit over theopen end of a gutter. The filter attachment comprised an elongatedscreen to the underside of which is clamped a fibrous material such asfiberglass. Rees teaches in the Background of The Invention that manydevices, such as slotted or perforated metal sheets, or screens of wireor other material, or plastic foam, have been used in prior art to coverthe open tops of gutters to filter out foreign material. He states thatsuccess with such devices has been limited because small debris and pineneedles still may enter through them into a rain gutter and clog itsdownspout opening and or lodge in and clog the devices themselves. Reesteaches that his use of a finer opening tangled fiberglass filtersandwiched between two lateral screens will eliminate such clogging ofthe device by smaller debris. However, in practice it is known that suchdevices as is disclosed by Rees are only partially effective at sheddingdebris while channeling rainwater into an underlying gutter. Shingle oilleaching off of certain roof coverings, pollen, dust, dirt, and otherfine debris are known to “heal over” such devices clogging and/oreffectively “water-proofing” them and necessitate the manual cleaningthey seek to eliminate. (If not because of the larger debris, because ofthe fine debris and pollutants). Additionally, again as with other priorart that seeks to employ filter medium screening of debris; the filtermedium utilized by Rees rests on an inter-connected planar surface whichprovides non-broken continuous paths over and under which water willflow, by means of water adhesion, to the front of a gutter and spill tothe ground rather than drop downward into an underlying rain gutter.Whether filter medium is “sandwiched” between perforated planes orscreens as in Rees' invention, or such filter medium exists belowperforated planes or screens and is contained in a well or channel,water will tend to flow forward along continuous paths through cur aswell as downward into an underlying rain gutter achieving less thandesirable water-channeling into a rain gutter.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,904 to Gentry teaches a first fine screen havingmesh openings affixed to an underlying screen of larger openings. Bothscreens are elastically deformable to permit a user to compress theinvention for insertion into a rain gutter. Gentry, as Rees, recognizesthe inability of prior art to prevent entrance of finer debris into arain gutter, and Gentry, as Rees, relies on a much finer screen meshthan is employed by prior art to achieve prevention of finer debrisentrance into a rain gutter. In both the Gentry and Rees prior art, andtheir improvements over less effective filter mediums of previous priorart, it becomes apparent that anticipation of improved filter medium orconfigurations is not viewed as a matter of simple anticipation of priorart which has, or could, employ filter medium. It becomes apparent thatimproved filtering methods may be viewed as patenable unique inventionsin and of themselves and not necessarily an anticipation or matter ofdesign choice of a better filter medium or method being applied to orsubstituted within prior art that does or could employ filter medium.However, though Rees and Gentry did achieve finer filtration over filtermedium utilized in prior art, their inventions also exhibit a tendencyto channel water past an underlying gutter and/or to heal over withfiner dirt, pollen, and other pollutants and clog thereby requiringmanual cleaning. Additionally, when filter medium is applied to orrested upon planar perforated or screen meshed surfaces, there is anotable tendency for the underlying perforated plane or screen tochannel water past the gutter where it will then spill to the ground. Ithas also been noted that prior art listed herein exhibits a tendency toallow filter cloth mediums to sag into the opening of their underlyingsupporting structures. To compensate for forward channeling of water,prior art embodies open apertures spaced too distantly, or allows theapertures themselves to encompass too large an area, thereby allowingthe sagging of overlying filter membranes and cloths. Such saggingcreates pockets wherein debris tends to settle and enmesh.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,132 to Dugan teaches a porous solid material whichis installed in the gutter to form an upper barrier surface (againstdebris entrance into a rain gutter). Though Dugan anticipates that anydebris gathered on the upper barrier surface will dry and blow away,that is not always the case with this or similar devices. In practice,such devices are known to “heal over” with pollen, oil, and otherpollutants and effectively waterproof or clog the device rendering itineffective in that they prevent both debris and water from entering arain gutter. Pollen may actually cement debris to the top surface ofsuch devices and fail to allow wash-off even after repeated rains. U.S.Pat. No. 4,949,514 to Weller sought to present more water receiving topsurface of a similar solid porous device by undulating the top surfacebut, in fact, effectively created debris “traps” with the peak andvalley undulation. As with other prior art, such devices may workeffectively for a period of time but tend to eventually channel waterpast a rain gutter, due to eventual clogging of the device itself.

There are several commercial filtering products designed to preventforeign matter buildup in gutters. For example the FLOW-FREE™ gutterprotection system sold by DCI of Clifton Heights, Pa. comprises a0.75-inch thick nylon mesh material designed to fit within 5-inch K typegutters to seal the gutters and downspout systems from debris and snowbuildup. The FLOW-FREE™ device fits over the hanging brackets of thegutters and one side extends to the bottom of the gutter to prevent thecollapse into the gutter. However, as in other filtering attempts,shingle material and pine needles can become trapped in the coarse nylonmesh and must be periodically cleaned.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,843 to Tregear teaches a gutter device that has anelongated matting having a plurality of open cones arranged intransverse and longitudinal rows, the base of the cones defining a lowerfirst plane and the apexes of the cones defining an upper second plane.Although the Tregear device overcomes the eventual trapping of largerdebris within a filtering mesh composed of fabric sufficiently smooth toprevent the trapping of debris he notes in prior art, the Tregear devicetends to eventually allow pollen, oil which may leach from asphaltshingles, oak tassels, and finer seeds and debris to coat and heal overa top-most matting screen it employs to disallow larger debris frombecoming entangled in the larger aperatured filtering medium it covers.Tregear indicates that filtered configurations such as a commerciallyavailable attic ventilation system known as Roll Vent™ manufactured byBenjamin Obdyke, Inc. Warminster, Pa. is suitable, with modificationsthat accommodate its fitting into a rain gutter. However, such a devicehas been noted, even in its original intended application, to requirecleaning (as do most attic screens and filters) to remove dust, dirt,and pollen that combine with moisture to form adhesive coatings that canscum or heal over such attic filters. Filtering mediums (exhibitingtightly woven, knitted, or tangled mesh threads to achieve density or“smoothness”) employed by Tregear and other prior art have been unableto achieve imperviousness to waterproofing and clogging effects causedby a healing or pasting over of such surfaces by pollen, fine dirt,scum, oils, and air and water pollutants. Additionally, referring againto Tregear's device, a lower first plane tends to channel water towardthe front lip of a rain gutter, rather than allowing it's free passagedownward, and allow the feeding and spilling of water up and over thefront lip of a rain gutter by means of water-adhesion channels createdin the lower first plane.

Prior art has employed filter cloths over underlying mesh, screens,cones, longitudinal rods, however such prior art has eventually beenrealized as unable to prevent an eventual clogging of their finerfiltering membranes by pollen, dirt, oak tassels, and finer debris. Suchprior art has been noted to succumb to eventual clogging by the healingover of debris which adheres itself to surfaces when intermingled withorganic oils, oily pollen, and shingle oil that act as an adhesive. Thehoped for cleaning of leaves, pine needles, seed pods and other debrisby water flow or wind, envisioned by Tregear and other prior art, isoften not realized due to their adherence to surfaces by pollen, oils,pollutants, and silica dusts and water mists. The cleaning of adhesiveoils, fine dirt, and particularly of the scum and paste formed by pollenand silica dust (common in many soil types) by flowing water or wind isalmost never realized in prior art.

Prior art that has relied on reverse curved surfaces channeling waterinside a rain gutter due to surface tension, of varied configurationsand pluralities, arranged longitudinally, have been noted to lose theirsurface tension feature as pollen, oil, scum, eventually adhere to them.Additionally, multi-channeled embodiments of longitudinal reverse curveprior art have been noted to allow their water receiving channels tobecome packed with pine needles, oak tassels, other debris, andeventually clog disallowing the free passage of water into a raingutter. Examples of such prior art are seen in the commercial productGUTTER HELMET® manufactured by American metal products and sold by Mr.Fix It of Richmond, Va. In this and similar Commercial products, dirtand mildew build up on the bull-nose of the curve preventing water fromentering the gutter. Also, ENGLERT'S LEAFGUARD®, manufactured anddistributed by Englert Inc. of Perthamboy N.J., and K-GUARD®,manufactured and distributed by KNUDSON INC. of Colorado, are similarlynoted to lose their water-channeling properties due to dirt buildup.These commercial products state such, in literature to homeowners thatadvises them on the proper method of cleaning and maintaining theirproducts.

With the exception of U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352, none of theseabove-described systems keep all debris out of a gutter system allowingwater alone to enter, for an extended length of time. Some allow lodgingand embedding of pine needles and other debris to occur within theiropen water receiving areas causing them to channel water past a raingutter. Others allow such debris to enter and clog a rain gutter'sdownspout opening. Still others, particularly those employing filtermembranes, succumb to a paste and or scum-like healing over and cloggingof their filtration membranes over time rendering them unable to channelwater into a rain gutter. Pollen and silica dirt, particularly, arenoted to cement even larger debris to the filter, screen, mesh,perforated opening, and/or reverse curved surfaces of prior art,adhering debris to prior art in a manner that was not envisioned. Myearlier patent has proven effective but may exhibit undesirable cosmeticfeatures and may prove difficult, even impossible, to install undercertain cold weather conditions.

Accordingly, it is an object of the embodiments of the present inventionto provide a gutter shield that employs the effective properties of myU.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352: a gutter shield device that employs a finefiltration combination that is not subject to gumming or healing over bypollen, silica dust, oils, and other very fine debris, a gutter shielddevice that provides a filtration configuration and encompassing bodythat eliminates any forward channeling of rain water, a gutter shieldthat will accept more water run-off into a five inch K-style rain gutterthan such a gutter's downspout opening is able to drain before allowingthe rain gutter to overflow (in instances where a single three-inch byfive-inch downspout is installed to service 600 square feet of roofingsurface).

[Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is toprovide a gutter shield with the above noted properties thatincorporates and makes integral within it's main rigid body the featuresand structure of the insertable flexible polymer support skeletondisclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 thereby eliminating the mostprominent expansion and contraction coefficients found to exist betweena rigid main body utilizing an insertable flexible polymer filtrationconfiguration.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to providea gutter shield with the above noted properties that utilizes astainless steel or aluminum micromesh filter cloth that may be insertedinto a main body with integral recessed and perforated wells thatincorporate integral upward extending planes allowing for a lower costof manufacture by eliminating a separately manufactured flexible polymersupport skeleton and allowing for a lighter, more stable under varyingtemperatures, and more easily installed insertable filtering component.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to providea gutter shield that employs a filtration membrane that is readilyaccessible and easily replaceable if such membrane is damaged by natureor accident.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY

In one example embodiment, a gutter shield device for mounting to a raingutter is provided. The gutter shield device comprises an elongated bodycomprising a first body portion; a second body portion; and anintermediate body portion disposed between the first and second bodyportions and connected to the first and second body portions. Theintermediate body portion defines a surface and includes a plurality ofextending portions extending in a direction away from the surface todefine a plurality of openings in the surface. The gutter shield devicefurther comprises a filter element secured to the intermediate bodyportion such that surface of the filter element is arranged adjacent tothe openings.

In another example embodiment, the intermediate body portion isconnected to the first and second body portions by a first u-shapedreceiving channel and a second u-shaped receiving channel, respectively.The filter element includes a first lateral edge received in the firstu-shaped receiving channel of the intermediate body portion and a secondlateral edge received in the second receiving channel of theintermediate body portion.

In another example embodiment, the surface of the filter elementarranged adjacent to the openings contacts the surface defined by theintermediate portion, whereby, when water is passed over the filterelement, the water is directed away from the filter element, through theopenings, and along the plurality of extending portions.

In yet another example embodiment, the filter element comprises aplurality of interwoven threads defining a mesh screen. The mesh screenmay define a mesh of between approximately 80 and 280 and the pluralityof interwoven threads defining the mesh screen may comprise a pluralityof stainless steel or aluminum threads.

In still another example embodiment, a diameter of each of the pluralityof interwoven threads is between approximately 0.04 mm (0.0015 in) andapproximately 0.14 mm (0.0055 in).

In still another example embodiment, the mesh screen comprises aplurality of intersecting threads having a diameter, each intersectionof threads being crimped or pressed so that a maximum thickness of themesh screen is less than two times the thread diameter.

In another alternative example embodiment, a body of a gutter shielddevice for mounting to a rain gutter is provided. The body of the guttershield device comprises a first body portion; a second body portion; andan intermediate body portion disposed between and connected to the firstand second body portions. The intermediate body portion defines asurface adapted to receive a filter element thereon and includes aplurality of extending portions extending in a direction away from thesurface to define a plurality of openings in the surface. When thefilter element is secured to the surface of defined by the intermediatebody portion, a surface of the filter element is positioned adjacent tothe plurality of openings.

In another example embodiment, the intermediate body portion isconnected to the first and second body portions via a first u-shapedreceiving channel and a second u-shaped receiving channel, respectively.The first and second u-shaped receiving channels are adapted to holdlateral edges of the filter element therein.

In another alternative example embodiment, a filtration element adaptedto be mounted to a rain gutter is provided. The filtration elementcomprises a plurality of interwoven threads defining a firstsubstantially planar surface and at least one substantially planarextending portion extending at an angle to the first substantiallyplanar surface. The at least one substantially planar extending portionmay be a folded portion. The at least one extending portion may be aplurality of spaced extending portions defining a plurality ofsubstantially planar surfaces extending at angles to the firstsubstantially planar surface. Each of the plurality of extendingportions may be a folded portion.

In yet another example embodiment, the plurality of interwoven threadsmay be metallic threads, for example, stainless steel or aluminumthreads. The plurality of interwoven threads may define a mesh screenhaving a mesh of, for example, between approximately 80 and 280.

In still another example embodiment, a diameter of each of the pluralityof interwoven threads is between approximately 0.0015 inches and 0.0055inches.

In still another example embodiment, the mesh screen may comprise aplurality of intersecting threads having a diameter, each intersectionof threads being crimped or pressed so that a maximum thickness of themesh screen is less than two times the thread diameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a sectional edge view displaying the profile of the main bodyof an example embodiment of the present invention as it would appearextruding from a roll forming machine or plastic extrusion die.

FIG. 2. is a detailed sectional edge view displaying the profile of themain body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3. is an isolated view of the profile of the main body of FIGS. 1and 2.

FIG. 3 a. is an isolated view of the profile of the main body of FIGS.1-3.

FIG. 4. is a partial top perspective view of the main body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5. is an isolated view of an example filter medium which may beaffixed to the main body of FIGS. 1-4 or which is inserted into filtermedium receiving channels of the main body of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 5 a. is an isolated and exploded view of the example embodiment ofthe filter medium of

FIG. 5. is an isolated view of an example filter medium which may beaffixed to the main body of FIGS. 1-4 or which is inserted into filtermedium receiving channels of the main body of FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 6. is a partial top perspective view of an example embodiment ofthe present invention displaying the main body of the gutter coverassembled with inserted filter medium.

FIG. 7. is a partial top perspective view of an example embodiment ofthe present invention, displaying a roofline portion of a buildingstructure, roof shingles, K-style gutter, and attached gutter cover.

FIG. 8. is a sectional edge view displaying an alternate exampleembodiment of the profile of the main body of the present invention asit would appear extruding from a roll forming machine or plasticextrusion die.

FIG. 9. is a partial top perspective view of an optional joining memberthat may be inserted into an alternate example embodiment of the mainbody of the present invention.

FIG. 10. is a partial top perspective view of an alternate exampleembodiment of the main body of the present invention.

FIG. 11. is a partial top perspective view displaying a joining memberinserted into an alternate example embodiment of the main body of thepresent invention prior to being joined to a second section of guttercover.

FIG. 12. is a partial top perspective view of an example alternativeembodiment of the body of the present invention.

FIG. 13. is a detailed view of an opening in the intermediate bodyportion of the body according to the example embodiment of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14. is a partial top perspective view of a filtration elementassembled with the body of FIG. 12 according to an alternative exampleembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15. is a detailed view of an opening covered by the filtrationelement according to the example embodiment of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16. is a partial top perspective view of a filtration elementaccording to an alternative example embodiment.

FIG. 17. is a detailed view of the filtration element according to theexample embodiment of FI

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now specifically to the drawings, FIG. 6 shows a gutter cover(protector) body 69 with an insertable metallic micro mesh filteringmembrane 71 attached thereto.

In one embodiment, body 69 may be composed of poly vinyl chloride (PVC)that is reduced to liquid form through screw compression of PVC “tags”.This liquid plastic mixture is then extruded through a profile formingdie, then through a cooling tray and cut to 5 foot lengths. The extrudedbody material is rigid and has a thickness of approximately 0.06 inch.The extruded body 69 has intrinsic channels 22 and 65 arranged toreceive, for example, an insertable stainless steel wire cloth 71 of 120“thread count” with hemmed lateral edges and having a width of 3 and ⅝inches. In another embodiment, body 69 may be a metallic bodyroll-formed from 0.019 to 0.027 aluminum coil and slit to widths of 11¾inches and greater; depending on the width of gutter to be covered.

Referring to FIG. 1, a profile of the main body 69 of an exampleembodiment of the present invention is illustrated having five majorinterconnected planes, M1(3), M2(5), M3(11), M4(23 ev), M5(66) with awidth that may vary between 5.4 and 7 inches (illustrated at 5.4 incheswide) and a height 69 a, measured from the lowest point of channel 55 cto the uppermost point of angle 4, of approximately 0.67 inch.

Referring to the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, plane 1 isextruded or roll formed to a length of approximately 0.11 inch.Adjoining plane 1 is circumference 2 which is extruded or roll formed toan outside diameter of approximately 0.06 inch. Adjoining circumference2 is plane 3 having a length of approximately 0.53 inch. Plane 3 adjoinsand angles 4 approximately 60 degrees downward from horizontal plane 5.Plane 5 has an approximate length of 0.5 inch and extrudes or roll formsdownward at an approximate 96 degree angle 4 a to form downwardextending plane or channel 9 which is formed by plane 6, circumference7, and plane 8.

In its roll formed metallic state, portions 6, 7, and 8, form a downwardextending u-shaped channel 9 with an open air space existing betweenplanes 6 and 8 of approximately 0.022 inch. In its roll formed metallicstate, plane 6 has a length of approximately 0.49 inch, plane 8 has alength of approximately 0.42 inch and circumference 7 has an outsidediameter of approximately 0.06 inch. When the body 69 is formed as anextruded polymer product, channel 9 is non-existent and planes 6 and 8are combined integrally and may be thought of as singular plane 6/8 with7 existing as a termination of the downward extension of 9.

The combination of body portions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of thepresent invention in its roll formed metallic state, or the combinationof body portions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6/8, 7 of the present invention in itsextruded polymer state, forms a front fastening member arranged tosecure the body 69 to the top front lip of a k-style gutter, forexample.

Referring to FIG. 3, which is an exploded view of the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 2:22 ev, plane 11 adjoins and angles rearward (towardthe rear of the present invention) and upward from plane 8 approximately30 degrees forming an angle 10 between planes 8 and 11 of approximately60 degrees. Plane 11 has an approximate length of 0.44 inch. Plane 11,in a roll formed metallic embodiment of the body 69 of the presentinvention, adjoins circumference 12 which curves downward into plane 13that lies directly beneath and parallel to plane 11. In this roll formedmetallic state, plane circumference 12 has an approximate outsidediameter of 0.06 inch. and plane 13 has an approximate length of 0.44inch. Alternatively, when the body 69 is formed as an extruded polymerproduct plane 11 and plane 13 combine integrally and may be thought ofas singular plane 11/13 with 11 being the topmost surface and 13 theundersurface of 11/13 and circumference 12 exists as a termination pointrather than as a circumference. Plane 13 is a separate plane in themetallic roll formed state of the present invention and adjoins downwardcurving circumference 14. Similarly, plane 11/13 is a singular plane inthe extruded polymer state of the present invention and adjoins downwardcurving circumference 14.

Circumference 14 may have an outside diameter of approximately 0.075 andadjoins plane 15 which is parallel to plane 13 (or plane 11/13). Plane15 has an approximate length of 0.17 inch. Plane 15 adjoins plane 16which has an approximate length of 0.045 inch and angles downwardapproximately 90 degrees from plane 15. Plane 16 angles rightward andupward at an approximate 90 degree angle and adjoins plane 17. Plane 17has an approximate length of 0.157 inch and adjoins upward angling plane18 at an approximate 90 degrees. Plane 18 has an approximate length of0.045 inch and adjoins plane 20 at an approximate 90 degree angle. Plane20 has an approximate length of 0.10 inch. Planes 16, 17, and 18 form arecessed well 19 shown to serve as a perforated water receiving well(see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Plane 11, circumference 12, plane 13 (or plane 11/13), circumference 14,planes 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20 form a u-shaped receiving channel 22 withan approximate width 22 w of 0.48 inch and an approximate height 22 h of0.056 measured from planes 13 to 20. This receiving channel isillustrated and referred to, collectively, as 22 as illustrated in FIG.6. FIG. 6 further illustrates that an example embodiment of the presentinvention may employs a second receiving channel 65 that serves, withchannel 22, to receive and secure filtering membrane 71. The structureand dimensions of receiving channel 65 are discussed further below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multilevel water receiving area of an exampleembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3 a, which is anexploded view of portion 23 ev of FIG. 2, plane 20 is formed or extrudedat an approximate 90 degree downward angle into plane 21. Plane 21 mayhave an approximate length of 0.045 inch and is extruded or roll formedrearward into plane 23. Plane 23 is perforated, as is illustrated inFIG. 4, with elliptical perforations 70 which may be, for example,approximately 0.09 in wide, 0.38 inches long, and spaced longitudinallyat approximately 0.15 inch intervals. As a profiled illustration, plane23 may have an approximate length of 0.154 inch and is extruded or rollformed upward at an approximate 90 degree angle into plane 24. Plane 24may be roll formed or extruded upward approximately 0.045 inch thenfurther roll formed or extruded into partial ellipse 24 e. Planes 21,23, 24 jointly form a water receiving perforated well or channel 25(further illustrated in FIG. 4) that may have an approximate height 25 hof 0.06 inch and an approximate interior width 25 w of 0.15 inch.measured from the inner wall of plane 21 to the inner wall of plane 24.

Partial ellipse 24 e may have an approximate partial circumference of0.03 inch. Partial ellipse 24 e is roll formed or extruded into plane 26which, if extended, parallels plane 23. Plane 26 may have an approximatelength of 0.076 inch. and is roll formed or extruded downward intopartial ellipse 27 e. Partial ellipse 24 e, plane 26, and plane 27 ejointly form an ellipsed cap 28 that contacts the underside of anoverlying filtration membrane 64 (as illustrated in FIG. 6). Ellipsedcap 28 may have an approximate length of 0.16 inch measured from theinitial point of partial ellipse 24 e, through plane 26, to thetermination point of partial ellipse 27 e. Partial ellipse 27 e is rollformed or extruded downward into plane 27 which parallels plane 24.Plane 27 may have an approximate length of 0.045 inch.

Referring again to FIG. 3 a, plane 24, partial ellipse 24 e, plane 26,partial ellipse 27 e, and plane 27 jointly form a “bump” 29 that extendsupward and supports and contacts the underside of an overlyingfiltration membrane 71 (as illustrated in FIG. 6) that rests on theellipsed cap 28 integral to bump 29. Bump 29 may have an approximateheight 29 h of 0.068 inch and an approximate width 29 w of 0.13 inch.

Referring again to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a, “Bumps” 36, 43, 48, 51, and 59and their respective integral caps 35, 42, 47, 50, and 58 existent inthe multi-level water receiving well of the present invention may havemeasurements identical to bump 29 and its respective integral cap 28 asillustrated in FIG. 3 a.

Referring again to both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 a, “Bumps” 43 and 54 withtheir respective integral caps 42 and 53 also have measurementsidentical to bump 29 and its respective integral cap 28 with theexception of their rear most downward extending legs 41 and 55respectively. These legs may each have an approximate length of 0.25inch and serve to form a wall of downward extending channels 44 and 56respectively as well as act as a supporting plane for the respectivebumps they exist in.

Referring again to FIG. 3 a, as previously described, partial ellipse 27e extends downward into plane 27 which further extends at a 90 degreeangle into plane 30. As a profiled illustration, plane 30 may have anapproximate length of 0.154 inch. Plane 30 is perforated, as isillustrated in FIG. 4 with elliptical perforations 70 that may be, forexample, approximately 0.09 in wide, 0.38 inches long, and spacedlongitudinally at approximately 0.15 inch intervals. Plane 30 extendsupward at an approximate 90 degree right angle into plane 31. Plane 31parallels plane 27 and may have an approximate length of 0.045 inch.Plane 31 extends upward into partially ellipsed plane 31 e. Partiallyellipsed plane 31 e may have an approximate partial circumference of0.03 inch. Partial ellipse 27 e, plane 27, plane 30, plane 31, andpartial ellipse 31 e jointly form perforated well 32.

Wells 39, 49, and 52 existent in the multi-level water receiving well ofthe present invention have measurements identical to well 32 of thepresent invention. The dimensions of wells 22 and 24 have beenpreviously described in this disclosure.

Referring again to FIG. 2:23 ev, wells 46 and 57 incorporate twodownward extending planes or channels 44 and 56 respectively whichdifferentiates them from other perforated wells existent in the presentinvention. Wells 46 and 57 and their respective channels 41 c and 55 cmay have identical measurements.

Well 46 is jointly formed by ellipse 43 e, plane 41, circumference 41 c,plane 41 d, plane 45, plane 45 a and partial ellipse 45 e. PartialEllipse 43 e may have an approximate partial circumference of 0.03 inchand extends downward into plane 41 which parallels plane 38. Plane 41may have an approximate length of 0.28 inch and extends intocircumference 41 c.

Circumference 41 c may have an approximate outside diameter of 0.06inch. circumference 41 c extends upward into plane 41 d. Plane 41 d mayhave an approximate length of 0.23 inch. Plane 41 d extends into orjoins plane 45 at an approximate 90 degree angle. Plane 45 may have anapproximate length of 0.13 inch. Plane 45 extends upward into partialellipse 45 e which may have an approximate partial circumference of 0.03inch. As mentioned earlier, well 57 may have measurements identical tothose of well 4

Plane 41, circumference 41 c, and plane 41 d within well 46 additionallyjointly form channel 44 which may have an approximate height 43 h of0.24 inch and an approximate width 44 w of 0.03 inch. As mentionedearlier, channel 55 c within well 57 may have measurements identical tothose of channel 44.

Referring again to FIG. 2:23 ev, plane 59 d may have an approximatelength of 0.45 inch and extends into plane 60 a. Plane 60 a may have anapproximate length of 0.154 inch and extends upward at an approximate 90degree angle into plane 61. Plane 61 may have an approximate length of0.045 inch. Plane 59 d, plane 60 a and plane 61 jointly form perforatedwell 60.

Referring again to FIG. 2, plane 61 extends at an approximate 90 degreeangle into plane 62 which serves as the bottom shelf of receivingchannel 65 and may have an approximate length of 0.44 inch. Plane 62extends upward into partial circumference 63 which may have anapproximate outside diameter of 0.05 inch. Partial circumference 63extends into plane 64 which serves as the top shelf of receiving channel65 and may have an approximate length of 0.4 inch. Plane 62, partialcircumference 63, and plane 64 jointly form the second receiving channel65 according to one embodiment of the present invention which isarranged to receive and secure a lateral edge of the filtration membrane71 as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Plane 64 extends upward into partial circumference 66. Partialcircumference 66 may have an approximate outside diameter of 0.05 inchand extends rearward into plane 66. Plane 66 may have an approximatelength of 1.55 inch. Partial circumference 66 extends downward intopartial circumference 67 which may have an approximate outside diameterof 0.06 inch. Partial circumference 67 extends into plane 68 which mayhave an approximate length of 0.11 inch.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5 a, there is illustrated in 71 a metallicfiltering membrane composed of stainless steel threads. This filteringmembrane is commonly referred to as “wire cloth” and is presentlyemployed as a screening debris filter in the manufacture of plastics andas a filtering component of industrial mufflers. The diameter of themetallic threads may range from approximately 0.04 mm (0.0015 in) toapproximately 0.14 mm (0.0055 in) and may be crimp woven in meshes from280 to 80 mesh (thread counts or openings per inch), respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5 it is illustrated that the filtering cloth 71 hasits lateral edges folded over or hemmed 71 a to eliminate sharp cuttingedges often noted in wire cloth.

Referring to FIG. 6 it is illustrated that filtering cloth 71 isinserted into the body 69 of the present invention and held in place bychannels 22 and 65. In the field it has been noted that filtering cloth71 will not be dislodged by wind due to the natural stiffness present inwire cloths of 120 mesh or less.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an example embodiment of thepresent invention. A gutter protection system includes a main body 69with integral filtration membrane receiving channels 22 and 65enveloping the lateral edges of an insertable filtration membrane 71that overlies a multi-level supporting skeleton of perforated planes,non perforated planes, upward extending nodes and downward extendingplanes collectively noted as 23 ev.

The main body, 69, may be an extruded polymer (e.g., Leaffilter®) or aroll formed aluminum product (Flow Screen®). Where body 69 is anextruded polymer, it may be, for example, composed of poly vinylchloride (PVC) that is reduced to liquid form through screw compressionof PVC “tags”. This liquid plastic mixture is then extruded through aprofile forming die, then through a cooling tray and cut to 5 footlengths. This length has proven ideal for installation by one individualin that its length is short enough to be readily handled and accessedwhile allowing for as few joints or seams as possible to exist betweenadjoining body members of the present invention when it is installedover the length of a rain gutter. The extruded material is rigid and mayhave a thickness of approximately 0.06 inch. The extruded material hasproven, in the field, to be suitably thick to maintain its shape and notdeform or dip under load bearing weight of snow and ice or deform whenexposed to high ambient temperatures which have caused prior art oflesser thickness to deform vertically upwards and downwards allowingopen-air gaps to form from one piece op prior art to the next when therest abutted side by side. These gaps may allow debris entrance into agutter.

Referring to FIG. 7, an example embodiment of the body 69 of the presentinvention is illustrated as inserted into the top water receivingopening of a k-style rain gutter 72 and resting on the front top lip 73of the k-style rain gutter and resting on a sub-roof 68 of a buildingstructure. The body 69 is secured to the underlying rain gutter 75 bythe encompassing of the front top lip 73 of the rain gutter by planes 3,5, and 6 and further secured by the insertion of plane 66 beneath roofshingles 74.

Once this is accomplished, main body 69 offers improvement over priorart as follows: As noted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352: “Perforatedsurfaces existing in a single plane, such as are employed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,595,027 to Vail, or as exists in the Commercial Product SHEERFLOW®manufactured by L.B. Plastics of N.C., and similar prior art tend tochannel water past perforations rather than down through them and intoan underlying rain gutter. Prior art sought to correct this undesirableproperty by either tapering the rim of the open perforation and/orcreating downward extensions of the perforation (creating a waterchanneling path down through open air space) as exhibited in prior artU.S. Pat. No. 6,151,837 to Ealer, or by creating dams on the plane theperforations exist on, as exhibited in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,689to Bosler. Such prior art has been unable to ensure all water wouldchannel into the underlying rain gutter because the water, that didindeed, travel through the open apertures on the top surfaces of thesetypes of perforated planes or screens, would also travel along theunderside of the screen wires or perforated planes, as it had on top ofthese surfaces, and still continue it's undesirable flow to the front ofthe invention and front lip of the underlying rain gutter, due to wateradhesion. Additionally, this “underflow” of water on the underside ofthe perforated planes and screens illustrated in prior art exhibits atendency to “backflow” or attempt to flow upwards through theperforations inhibiting downward flow of water. This phenomenon has beennoted in practice, in the field when it has been observed that open airapertures appear filled with water while accomplishing no downward flowof water into the underlying rain gutter.

Other inventors sought to eliminate this undesirable property byemploying linear rods with complete open air space existing between eachrod, this method of channeling more of the water into the rain gutterexhibits greater success on the top surface of such inventions, but itfails to eliminate the “under channeling” of rainwater toward the frontof the invention due to the propensity of water to follow the unbrokeninterconnected supporting rods or structure beneath the top layer ofrods.”

I was able to accomplish significant improvement over prior art byemploying a filter skeleton, illustrated in FIG. 3 of my U.S. Pat. No.6,598,352, which incorporates ellipsed top members resting on upwardextending planes adjoined to an underlying perforated planes. The upwardextending planes of this filter skeleton contact the underside of amicromesh cloth composed of threads that are separated by no more than120 microns of open airspace between threads and, at the point of planeand cloth contact, water has been noted to cease forward flow andredirect into significant downward flow of water into an underlying raingutter. FIG. 8 of my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 illustrates the filterskeleton and adjoined fine filtration cloth join and form separatemember from the main body of the invention that is inserted into themain body of the invention. This unique configuration of fine filtrationcloth and filter skeleton inserted into a recessed perforated well hasbeen observed in practice, in the field over a two year period, tocompletely disallow the clogging of a rain gutter and to allow knownclogging or moss overgrowth of the fine filtration cloth and skeletoncombination in fewer than 10 product installations out of thousands ofknown installations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 has been marketed as“Leaffilter®”.

During this period of practice in the field several improvements weremade to U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 to ease its installation and lower itscost of manufacture and shipping. Most notably, in June of 2003, Iredesigned the main body of the embodiment described in U.S. Pat. No.6,598,352 to incorporate the upward extending planes found in it'sinsertable filter skeleton directly into the perforated recessed well ofthe main body. This has been accomplished in both an extruded polymermain body and in a roll formed aluminum body of the present invention:

This significantly improves ease of installation in that the presentembodiment of “Leaffilter®” no longer employs an insertable polymerfilter skeleton that was extruded in 50 foot lengths rolled into rollsapproximately two feet in diameter and weighing approximately 9 lbs.These were discovered to be difficult to install due to the size andweight of the insertable filtration member and noted to significantlystiffen as field temperatures cool below approximately 40 degrees.Additionally, the insertable polymer filter skeleton illustrated in FIG.6 of my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 required transportation to a sewingconverter which accomplished unrolling and re-rolling of the polymerfiltration skeleton as polymer filtration cloth was sewn to the base ofthe skeleton. This action required additional shipping costs as well.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a multi level supportingskeleton comprised of perforated plane 17 (existing beneath plane 11),non perforated planes 18, 20, 21, and, referring to FIG. 4, comprised ofperforated planes 25, 32, 39, 49, 52, 60, and comprised of nonperforated planes 46 and 57, and comprised of upward extending “bumps”29, 36, 43, 48, 51, 54, 59, and comprised of non perforated planes 39and 49 which are adjoined by downward extending channels 38 and 48collectively. This multi-level support skeleton is referred to,collectively, as 23 ev. Incorporating the upward extending planes andperforated wells found in the flexible insertable filter skeleton of myprior art into the main body of the present invention, in the abovedescribed manner, achieves the same water directing properties by meansof water adhesion and water pressure (due to water volume existent insaid wells) found in my prior art and does so utilizing less materialresulting in a lower cost of manufacture while additionally eliminatinga separate insertable member subject to stiffening during cold weatherinstallations.

It was also discovered during this period of practice (installing theLeaffilter® gutter cover in the field over a period of two years) thatthe warp-knit polymer fabric employed as a filtration membrane sewn toan underlying insertable filtration skeleton, illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6 of my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352, succumbed to UV exposure deteriorationover a period of time regardless of the amount of UV inhibitorsemployed. This may have been due to the small denier of polymer threadsthat constituted the polymer fabric. Significant improvement isaccomplished in the present invention in substituting a woven stainlesssteel micro mesh cloth as is illustrated in FIG. 6 of the presentinvention. In the prior art of U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 it is disclosedthat threads that adjoin or intersect one another are less subject todebris lodging between threads and tend to present less resistance todownward water flow than does woven or knitted micromesh cloths: bothintersecting threads of dissimilar deniers and adjoining threads ofsimilar deniers have been noted to exhibit desirable debris repellantand water permeability features to a greater degree than is found intypical woven or knitted micromesh fabric. However, there is presentlyno known technology able to mass produce warp-knit cloth utilizingmetallic threads. It has been noted in field installations of exampleembodiments of the present invention that woven stainless steel threadsexhibit water permeability that approaches that found in polymerwarp-knit micro mesh fabric, provided that the wire diameter of thewoven stainless steel threads is between approximately 0.04 mm (0.0015in) and approximately 0.14 mm (0.0055 in) and the micro mesh fabric hasa mesh of between approximately 280.times.280 and approximately80.times.80, respectively. For example, micro mesh fabric having a meshof 100.times.100 may have a thread diameter of approximately 0.114 mm(0.0045 in). The wires (threads) may be crimped or pressed at theirpoint of weave or contact so that the combined height of two threads islessened at the point that one thread weaves over or under another. Intesting, it has been further discovered that the same debris sheddingproperties are present in configurations of wire cloth that employ“crimped weaves” whereby pressure is applied at the point of weavecontact between threads. This crimping of metallic threads at theirpoint of contact places threads in more of a linear plane in relation toone another which allows the cloth to shed rather than trap debris. Asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352, the greater the vertical heightbetween threads at their point of contact, the more likely it is thatdebris will be trapped and held rather than shed.

In one example embodiment of the present invention, woven wire cloth isutilized exclusively as it has been discovered that such cloth, even asa woven cloth, exhibits less shifting of threads and less heightdifferential between threads as well as providing a filtering membraneless susceptible to decay in comparison to polymer or natural“warp-knit” fabrics.

FIGS. 5 and 5 a illustrate an example stainless steel wire cloth 71 ofnot less than 100.times.100 mesh, crimp woven.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the illustrated micro mesh stainless steel wirecloth serves as an insertable filtration membrane 71 not subject tostiffening as field temperatures cool and has been noted, in the field,to be more easily handled in any temperature as it is much lighter andfar less bulky than the filtration skeleton covered with attachedpolymer micromesh cloth that served as the insertable filtration memberfound in my prior art illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of my U.S. Pat. No.6,598,352.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 71 illustrates that the lateral edges 71 aof the stainless steel filtration membrane are hemmed. This is presentlyaccomplished by passing 120 foot lengths of stainless steel cloth, slitto 4 inches width, through a roll former that hems the lateral edges ofthe stainless steel cloth and re-rolls its entire length into an easilyhandled roll approximately 4 inches in diameter and weighing less than1.5 lbs. The manufacture and packaging of the stainless steel filtrationmember eliminates a shipping step necessary in manufacturing andpackaging the polymer filtration skeleton used in other priorembodiments and allows the filtration member of example embodiments ofthe present invention to be packaged in the same box that holds 5 footlengths of the main body. In contrast, the polymer filtration skeletondisclosed in prior embodiments, for example, the Leaffilter® product,was boxed separately from the main body of the Leaffilter® product.Hemming the stainless steel filtration membrane 71 provides a dull edgeunlikely to cause cuts as filtration member 71 is handled in the fieldprior to and during installation.

The main body 69 is installed into the top open area of a k-style raingutter 72 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Referring now to FIG. 6,installation of the stainless steel filtration member 71 is accomplishedby grasping the leading edge of a roll of the filtration member andpulling it through channels 22 and 65 of the main body 69 of the presentinvention. Alternatively, filtration member 71 may be attached by anyother known means such as, for example, welding, adhesive, or any otherknown fastener devices, to body 69. Referring again to FIG. 7, once thisfinal step of installation is accomplished, rain water will flow offroof member 74 through stainless steel micro mesh filtration member 71contacting upraised “bumps”, such as 48 and 51, and being diverteddownward by these planes down through perforations 70 into an underlyingrain gutter 72. The present invention thereby provides a more economicaland more readily installed gutter protection method than Leaffilter®offers while proving equally capable of preventing debris as small as100 microns from entering a rain gutter while ensuring nearly 100% ofrain water run off from roof members enters underlying gutters as hasbeen noted in the field.

The dimensions listed in the foregoing Description are descriptive ofthe example embodiment of the present invention as it currently has beenmanufactured for 11 months in a polymer embodiment that is different inseveral respects (disclosed in this application) from its originalmanufactured embodiment that closely resembled the preferred embodimentillustrated in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352. Additionally, a roll-formedmetallic prototype of the present invention employing smaller thinner“bumps” and shallower perforated “wells” has demonstrated that theoperation of the present invention; specifically its ability to breakthe forward flow of water that occurs over flat perforated planes anddirect it downward, varies little providing that the height of “bumps”does not fall below 0.06 inch. and provided the dimensions ofperforations 70 have a minimum length of 0.25 inch and a minimum widthof 0.15 inch and are spaced longitudinally at a distance no greater than0.18 inch. Smaller perforations spaced further apart proved insufficientat draining large amounts of water into an underlying rain gutter.

In summary, a critical element described in claim one of technologydescribed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 (under which the Leaffilter® ismanufactured) is the utilization of upraised planes rising from andforming the sides of perforated wells. These underlying planes contactthe underside of a filtration cloth and break the forward flow of waterand direct it downward into an underlying rain gutter. This technologyof “upraised planes” breaking the forward flow of water and directing itdownward, described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352, has been demonstratedto remain effective through subsequent alternate embodiments describedin this present invention that have unified separate elements and variedthe height and the width and positioning of the upraised planesresulting in a more easily installed and economically manufacturedproduct. The process of roll-forming metal disallows exact duplicationof shapes and dimensions possible in extrusion of polymers. Extensivetesting and redesign of an alternate metallic roll formed embodiment ofthe Leaffilter® product has disclosed that some further alterations ofthe dimension and position of water directing planes can be accomplishedresulting in a more easily installed and economically manufacturedproduct.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 8 there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention. A triangular shaped channel 44 tc is arranged toreceive a triangular shaped joining member FIG. 76 (see FIG. 9). Sides44 x and 44 z may have approximate lengths of 0.23 inch. and side 44 ymay have an approximate length of 0.28 inch. Triangular shaped joiningmember 76 may have equilateral sides with approximate lengths 76 a, 76b, 76 b, of 0.21 inch.

It has been noted in the field that after installation of the body 69into a rain gutter, a variance in height between adjoining main bodies69 of the present invention may occur. This alternate embodiment servesto lock main bodies 69 into the same horizontal plane preventing anydebris entrance into a rain gutter occurring through open air spacesthat may occur if adjoining main bodies 69 rise or fall above or beneathone another. FIG. 11 further illustrates that joining member 76 insertspartially into the triangular shaped channel 44 tc of a main body 69 aallowing an adjoining main body 69 b to be slid into place allowing itstriangular shaped channel to encompass a remaining portion of joiningmember 76.

Referring again to FIG. 8, a triangular channel 77 tc may also beemployed at the front most portion of the main body 69 of the presentinvention to serve as a means of receiving joining members.

Referring to FIG. 8, downward extending triangular shaped channel 44 tcis defined by walls 44 x, 44 y, 44 z. This alteration of the downwardextending channel illustrated in FIG. 2 allows for the insertion of anextruded polymer or roll formed metallic triangular shaped joiningmember 76 (see FIG. 9) to be inserted into two adjoining main bodies 69a and 69 b of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 11, allowingthe main bodies 69 a, 69 b to abutted against each other and held at aconsistent level prohibiting one main body 69 a, 69 b from rising aboveor falling beneath the profile of previous or subsequent main bodymembers 69 a, 69 b it may be abutted against.

FIG. 12. is a partial top perspective view of an example alternativeembodiment of the body of the present invention. The main body 69includes an intermediate body portion (water receiving plane) 23 evaehaving two channels 22 and 65 arranged to receive lateral edges offiltering screens or membranes 71 (see FIG. 14). Intermediate bodyportion 23 evae defines a substantially planar surface and includes aplurality of downwardly extending portions 77 b extending at an angle tothe surface to define a plurality of openings 77 therein that serve tochannel water downward and away from the surface. Referring to FIG. 13,there is illustrated a path of forward flowing water 78 that approachesan opening 77 a and breaks downward at a topmost lateral edge 77 c ofdownwardly extending planar portion 77 b that extends between paralleledges 77 d and 77 e of opening 77 a.

FIG. 14. is a partial top perspective view of a filtration element 71assembled with the body of FIG. 12 according to an alternative exampleembodiment of the invention. In the example embodiment depicted in FIG.14, the filtration element 71 is shown as being inserted into receivingchannels 22 and 65 and overlying the substantially planar surfacedefined by intermediate body portion 23 evae and the plurality ofopenings 77 formed therein. Alternatively, filtration element 71 may besecured to the main body 69 by other known fastening techniques, forexample, by welding, adhesive, and/or other known fastening devices.

FIG. 15. is a detailed view of an opening 77 a covered by the filtrationelement 71. Referring to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a path of forwardflowing water 78 that flows, by water adhesion, along and around thethreads of filtration element 71 toward opening 77 a. Referring again toFIG. 14, filtration element 71 is contacted continuously on an undersidethereof by the solid (e.g., non-punched) portions of the substantiallyplanar surface defined by intermediate body portion 23 evae. When andwhere such contact occurs, water will continue to flow forward.Referring again to FIG. 15, filtration element 71 is contacted on theunderside thereof by the topmost lateral edge 77 c of downward extendingportion 77 b. At these specific points of contact, water is channeleddownward from filtration element 71, i.e., away from the substantiallyplanar surface defined by the intermediate body portion 23 evae, therebybreaking the forward flow of the water.

FIG. 16. is a partial top perspective view of a filtration element 71 paccording to an alternative example embodiment. Referring to FIG. 16,there is illustrated a filtration element 71 p which defines a firstsubstantially planar surface and which includes at least onesubstantially planar downward extending portion 79 extending at an angleto the first substantially planar surface. In the example embodiment,the downward extending portions 79 are folded portions of a continuousfiltration element 71 p. Referring to FIG. 17, the downward extendingportion 79 a is shown to have a predetermined length 79 b. Where thedownward extending portion 79 a is a folded portion, such folded portionmay be created by sewing, by compression, or by any effective means ofholding sides 79 c and 79 d in close proximity to each other and at anangle with respect to the first substantially planar surface defined byfiltration element 71 p. Water 78 that adheres to and flows on andthrough element 71 p is redirected into a downward flowing path at thedownwardly portion 79 a.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWING

-   1. plane 1, length: approximately 0.11 inch-   2. circumference 2, outside diameter approximately 0.06 inch-   3. plane 3, length approximately 0.53 inch.-   4. angle 4, approximately 60 degrees.-   5. plane 5, length approximately 0.5 inch.-   6. plane 6, length approximately 0.35 inch-   7. circumference 7, when the present invention is in a metallic roll    formed state, outside diameter approximately 0.06 inch    -   termination point 7, when the present invention is in a polymer        extruded state-   8. plane 8, length approximately 0.42 inch-   9. channel 9, when the present invention is in a metallic roll    formed state, with an open air space of approximately 0.022 inch-   10. angle 10, approximately 60 degrees-   11. plane 11, length approximately 0.44 inch-   12. circumference 12, when the present invention is in a metallic    roll formed state, outside diameter approximately 0.06 inch    -   termination point 12, when the present invention is in a polymer        state-   13. Plane 13, has an approximate length of 0.44 inch-   14. circumference 14, has an approximate outside diameter of 0.075    inch-   15. plane 15, length approximately 0.17 inch-   16. plane 16, length approximately 0.045 inch-   17. plane 17, length approximately 0.157 inch-   18. plane 18, length approximately 0.045 inch-   19. perforated well-   20. plane 20, length approximately 0.10 inch-   21. plane 21, length approximately 0.045 inch-   22. receiving channel 22-   22 w. width: 0.48 inch of channel 22-   22 h. height: 0.056 inch of channel 22-   23. plane 23, length of approximately 0.154 inch-   23 ev. multi-level water receiving area of the present invention-   24. plane 24, length of approximately 0.045 inch-   24 e. partial ellipse, with a partial circumference of approximately    0.03 inch-   25. perforated well-   25 w interior width: of perforated well 25: 0.15 inch measured from    plane 21 to plane 24-   25 h. interior height: 0.06 of perforated well 25-   26. plane 26, length approximately 0.070 inch measured from partial    ellipse 24 e to partial ellipse-   27. plane 27, length approximately 0.045 inch-   28. ellipsed cap 28, length approximately 0.16 inch-   29. bump, a supportive and water directing plane-   29 w. interior width: 0.13 inch of bump 29 measured from plane 24 to    plane 27-   29 h. height: 0.068 inch of bump 29-   30. plane 30, length approximately 0.154 inch-   31. plane 31, length approximately 0.045 inch-   31 e partial ellipse, with a partial circumference of approximately    0.03 inch-   32. perforated well-   32 w. interior width: of perforated well 32: 0.15 inch measured from    plane 27 to plane 31-   32 h. interior height: 0.06 inch of perforated well 32-   33. plane 33, length approximately 0.070 measured from partial    ellipse 31 e to partial ellipse 34 e-   34. plane 34, length approximately 0.045 inch-   34 e. partial ellipse, with a partial circumference of approximately    0.03 inch-   35. ellipsed cap 35, length approximately 0.16 inch-   36. bump, a supportive and water directing plane-   36 h height: 0.068 inch of bump 36-   37. plane 37, length approximately 0.154 inch-   38. plane 38, length approximately 0.045 inch-   39. perforated well-   39 h. interior height: 0.06 inch of perforated well 39-   39 w. interior width: of perforated well 39: 0.15 inch measured from    plane 34 to plane 38-   40. plane 40, length approximately 0.070 measured from partial    ellipse 38 e to partial ellipse 41 e-   41. plane 41, length approximately 0.28 inch-   41 c. circumference 41 c, approximate outside diameter 0.06 inch-   41 d. plane 41 d, length approximately 0.23 inch-   42. ellipsed cap 42, length approximately 0.16 inch-   43. bump, a supportive and water directing plane-   43 h. height: 0.33 inch of channel 44-   44. channel 44-   44 w width: 0.03 inch of channel 44-   44 tc. alternate triangular shaped embodiment of channel 44-   44 x. side 44 x approximate length 0.23 inch-   44 y. side 44 y approximate length 0.28 inch-   44 z. side 44 z approximate length 0.23 inch-   45. plane 45, length approximately 0.13 inch-   46. non-perforated well-   46 h. interior height: 0.06 inch of non-perforated well 46-   46 w. interior width: of on-perforated well 46: 0.15 inch measured    from plane 41 to bump-   47. ellipsed cap 47, length approximately 0.16 inch-   48. bump, a supportive and water directing plane-   49. perforated well-   50. ellipsed cap 50, length approximately 0.16 inch-   51. bump, a supportive and water directing plane-   52. perforated well-   53. ellipsed cap 53, length approximately 0.16 inch-   54. bump, a supportive and water directing plane-   55. plane 55, length approximately 0.28 inch-   55 c. circumference 55, approximate outside diameter 0.06 inch-   55. plane 55 d, length approximately 0.23 inch-   56. channel 56-   57. non-perforated well-   58. ellipsed cap 58, length approximately 0.16 inch-   59. bump, a supportive and water directing plane-   60. perforated well-   61. plane 61, length approximately 0.045 inch-   62. plane 62, length approximately 0.44 inch-   63. circumference 63, approximate outside diameter 0.06 inch-   64. plane 64, length approximately 0.4 inch-   65. channel 65-   66. plane 66, length approximately 1.5 inch-   67. circumference 63, approximate outside diameter 0.06 inch-   68. plane 68, length approximately 1.5 inch-   69. main body-   70. perforations-   71. metallic cloth filtration membrane-   72. k-style rain gutter-   73. top lip of k-style rain gutter-   74. roof membrane-   75. sub roof-   76. joining member-   76 a. side 76 a approximate length 0.21 inch-   76 b. side 76 b approximate length 0.21 inch-   76 c. side 76 c approximate length 0.21 inch

1-34. (canceled)
 35. A gutter shield device for mounting to a raingutter attached to a building structure, the gutter shield devicecomprising: An elongated body comprising an intermediate body portiondisposed between a first portion and a second portion, the first portionconfigured to contact, or suspend above, and/or extend outwardly pastthe front lip of a rain gutter and the second portion configured tocontact a building structure or element or elements attached to abuilding structure: the first and second portions intrinsic to, orattached to, the intermediate body portion; the intermediate bodyportion defining a water receiving area comprising including a pluralityof openings adjacent to upwardly rising and/or downwardly extendingportions of the intermediate body portion and a filtering screen ormembrane comprised of a plurality of threads extending over the waterreceiving area of the intermediate portion wherein the lateral edges ofthe screen or membrane are secured to the first and second bodyportions.
 36. A filtration element to be used as a gutter guard adaptedto be mounted to and/or positioned above a rain gutter; the filtrationelement comprising a plurality of threads defining a substantiallyplanar first surface having downward or extending planes or channels orinseams defining segments or areas positioned perpendicular and/or notcompletely parallel to the longitudinal (lengthwise) edge of thefiltration element.
 37. The filtration element of claim 36 having a leftlateral edge and a right lateral edge wherein the left or right lateraledge may overlap or underlay a portion of the first surface of the leftor right lateral edge of an adjoining filtration element.
 38. Thefiltration element of claim 36 having a left lateral edge and a rightlateral edge wherein the left or right lateral edge may overlap orunderlay a portion of an upward or downward extending plane or channelor inseam of an adjoining filtration element.